German firms in China hire private detectives to investigate if sick staff are genuinely unwell

People on social media in China have expressed surprise at how liberal sick leave rules are in Germany as firms in the European nation hire private detectives to investigate if absent employees are genuinely ill. -- Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

BEIJING (SCMP): German companies are hiring private detectives to investigate whether employees on long-term sick leave are genuinely ill, viewing it as an effective way to dismiss unproductive workers during economic hardship.

The practice has sparked a heated discussion on social media in China.